Allegations are flowing thick and fast with ruling coalition partners BJP, JMM and Ajsu putting claims of a friendly fight on the backburner for a more thrilling — and ubiquitous — political jugalbandi in the remaining five days of hectic campaigning for the July 1 by-election for this Lok Sabha hot seat.

While JMM’s Sudhir Mahto is painting now bete noire and Ajsu nominee Aastik Mahto the big villain, BJP national president Nitin Gadkari is flaunting his oratorial best to take a dig at both partners for vying for the bypoll pie.

The state BJP, which so far didn’t wish to hurt sentiments of its coalition partners, took a cue from Gadkari who questioned the presence of all major political parties in the fray for the Jamshedpur bypoll at an election rally at Agrico grounds yesterday, indirectly taking pot shots at JMM and Ajsu. “What will these parties do in the Lok Sabha. Join the NDA or UPA?” he had said.

The JMM, however, has taken the lead in tongue-lashing, courtesy party candidate Sudhir Mahto and senior leader Dulal Bhuiyan.

Former revenue minister Bhuiyan came out with all guns blazing. “Ajsu ko aisa maja chakhayenge ki zindagi bhar yaad rakhega. Yeh ek mauka-parast party hai (We will teach Ajsu a lesson that it will remember always. It is an opportunist party),” he said.

Though state BJP veterans showed some restraint, lower-rung leaders openly criticised JMM and Ajsu. “Dono partiyon ka upchunav se koi lena dena nahin hai. Inke pratyashi MP banne ke layak nahin hain (Both these parties have nothing to do with Lok Sabha by-election. Their candidates are not eligible to become the MP),” a district functionary said, sipping his cuppa at the BJP election office near Aambagan, Sakchi.

Poll analysts warned that the war of words would get even bitter in coming days. “They will forget governance while on the hustings. No stone will be left unturned in this target practice,” analyst B.D. Singh said.